I looked upon hers as one of the most valuable lives in England.’ Agnes Jones was born on 10 November 1832 in Cambridge into a wealthy family with both military and evangelical religious connections.

[1] In the early years of Jones' life, the family moved to Fahan in County Donegal, Ireland, though they followed her father's career with the army, notably to Mauritius.

[1] During a holiday in Europe with her family she met and was deeply impressed by deaconesses who were from the Institution of Kaiserwerth, which had earlier overseen the early nursing experiences of Florence Nightingale.

[citation needed] In 1859 she went to London, making contact with Florence Nightingale and Sarah E. Wardroper, senior nurse of St Thomas Hospital.

[citation needed] In 1862 Agnes Jones commenced nurse training in the Nightingale School at St Thomas Hospital in London.

Her recently refurbished grave can be found in the quiet country graveyard of Fahan, 4 miles south from Buncrana in County Donegal.